It may be a bit obscure, but Ellwand is a Scottish name for the belt of Orion, the mythic hunter – one of the most recognizable constellations in the night sky. It is also the name chosen by the promoters of a shooting sports academy proposed for a 22-acre property along Rt. 19, right across from the North Park Deck House, which is currently owned by developer Dominic Gigliotti. Gigliotti had previously received Township approval for a retail development on the site called Virginia Manor. But if the shooting academy’s backers are able to finance its purchase, Gigliotti has said he would relinquish his Virginia Manor project in favor of Ellwand, which is visualized to include a wide range of training and safety resources. At a March 27 hearing on the proposed academy, Ellwand architect and partner Fritz Baehr outlined the 167,963 square foot facility’s features which include extensive sound mitigation, multiple shooting sports venues, hospitality resources and classroom instruction. At its April 1 meeting, Cranberry’s Board of Supervisors approved the academy’s applications for land development and conditional use of the property. No time line for construction has been given. For more information, contact Community Development Director Ron Henshaw at ron.henshaw@cranberrytownship.org.